Photography & Filming

Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center inspires the creative spirit like few places can. The land and landscape has influenced all life at Ghost Ranch and is instrumental to our mission. Artists and photographers of varying skill levels flock here for inspiration to fuel their creative passion. For visual artists who practice for personal creative fulfillment, we honor your pursuit and understand your passion. Creativity is one of our core values. Indeed we are perpetuators of these endeavors and invite you to immerse yourself here through our programs.

On the other side of the artist spectrum, Ghost Ranch is a well-known site for the film industry with over 100 movies having been filmed here. We welcome these pursuits as well and pride ourselves in hosting large-scale productions professionally.

Somewhere in the middle of the personal fulfillment artist and feature film producer is a vast array of artists and photographers working at a semi-professional and professional level that we would like to embrace. To do so, we’ve designed an approach for artists and photographers to access Ghost Ranch without fear of infringement. This approach is centered upon developing a reciprocal relationship based on our respect for the creative endeavor undertaken by working artists as well as the obligation of Ghost Ranch to remain sustainable in every sense of the word–sustainable financially, environmentally and sustainable as people living in healthy community, growing and learning.

It is our responsibility to our donors, guests, community, volunteers and staff to be wise stewards of our resources and assets. In this spirit we ask that you review our policy and help us foster a mutually beneficial creative relationship.

Please click on the policy that best describes your art, photography and film objective:

Guest & Personal Use

Ghost Ranch welcomes all visitors to the Ranch and encourages photos of your experience. Personal photos may be taken by guests, visitors, students, volunteers, faculty, staff and all other ranch visitors so long as:

They are used exclusively for personal non-commercial purposes

The taking of such photos is consistent with our policy

They do not interfere with the ongoing operations of the Ranch

The do not infringe on the privacy of fellow guests

Social Media

Social media posts for non-commercial purposes are welcome and appreciated. We encourage you to share your moments of awe, and joy, and tranquility and adventure and are thankful for your efforts. Please tag Ghost Ranch on Facebook and Twitter and #ghostranchorg on Instragram.

Please be sure to adhere to the following guidelines:
• The photos are used exclusively for personal non-commercial purposes
• The taking of such photos is consistent with our policy
• They do not interfere with the ongoing operations of the Ranch
• The do not infringe on the privacy of fellow guests

Please note, the use of photographs created during social media events are limited to posting on the social media platform. Any additional uses outside of the event require advance written notice and the agreement of Ghost Ranch.

Ghost Ranch adheres to the policies outlined by the specific social media platform.

Semi-Professional & Professional Artist Use & the Creative Exchange

We’ve designed an approach for artists and photographers to access Ghost Ranch without fear of infringement. This approach is centered upon developing a reciprocal relationship based on our respect for the creative endeavor undertaken by working artists as well as the obligation of Ghost Ranch to remain sustainable in every sense of the word—sustainable financially, environmentally and sustainable as people living in healthy community, growing and learning.

The Creative Exchange

In embracing and engaging the working artist, Ghost Ranch officially welcomes you and invites you to be part of this Creative Exchange.

Ghost Ranch offers you access to work and photograph in public areas of the Ranch and in exchange, you agree to:

Donate one framed or a mounted image to our annual online auction – this also provides exposure for your work in our auction promotion.

If you have submitted photos as part of the Ghost Ranch Photo Calendar Contest, you are exempt from donating a framed or mounted image for the online auction, however, donations are appreciated and this will give your work more exposure within our community.

Allow Ghost Ranch use of selected images in our communications, marketing and advertising with artist credit Ghost Ranch will feature and credit your work, not only in our online auction promotional messages but also through digital and print communications, marketing, advertising and messaging. This will be outlined in a written agreement that is renewed annually.

The Creative Exchange Community

We want you to get to know the Ranch and also each other. Ghost Ranch will host an online artist’s salon, a forum for the community of working artists that is passionate about their work and inspiration. This forum—literally a creative exchange—is for sharing your Ghost Ranch moments; painting and photography explorations, tips, details of the endeavor, profound moments, challenges and of course your work.

As part of the Creative Exchange Community, you’ll be invited to lectures and events on the Ranch created to inspire, amuse, please and educate the working artist.

To be part of the Creative Exchange at Ghost Ranch, Contact Marketing@ghostranch.org or click the Join button.

In lieu of participating in the Creative Exchange, I choose to make a $250 donation to Ghost Ranch.

If you do not choose to be part of the Creative Exchange, bypass the donation option, and still want to paint, photograph or film at Ghost Ranch, please refer to the Commercial Use section of this policy below.

Special Event & Portrait Photography

Permission is required for all visitors wishing to take professional photographs for personal use (e.g., headshots, graduation, wedding or engagement photos and family portraits). Wedding and event photography at Ghost Ranch is available to couples being married at Ghost Ranch, as well as guests hosting events at the Ranch. Please submit inquiry at least seven (7) business days prior to photography to determine Ranch availability and location accessibility. A $50 per person fee applies and specific location access will be warranted. The resulting films, photographs may not be used for commercial purposes without prior contact with Ghost Ranch Production Manager.

Contact Marketing@ghostranch.org

Special Event or Portrait Shoot

Photographer's Name*

Photographer's Telephone Number:

Photographer's Email:

Date(s) Requested:*

Desired Location(s):

You will be notified when the the date and location have been confirmed by Linda Seebantz. A $50 per person fee will be due and payable at the front desk on the day of your photo shoot.

Commercial Filming & Photography

For legal issues it must be stated that Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center is private property and express permission is required for any filming, photography or special project on Ghost Ranch-owned lands (interior & exterior) by:

Professional or commercial media, artists, photographers, producers, location scouts, production designers, art directors and filmmakers including the following projects (based on subject matter):

Production

Advertising Campaigns

Magazine Editorials

Catalogs

Music Videos

Television Shows and Series

Commercials

All films (independent, feature, documentary, educational)

Stock Photography

Educational Projects

Other

Photography & Art Workshops
Media Professionals (news related & stories/press about Ghost Ranch)
Social Media
Wedding, Portrait or Landscape Photography
Commercial photography and filming at Ghost Ranch is defined as images or footage created of and at the Ranch that any photographer, filmmaker, or artist intends to use for commercial, professional, advertising, or promotional purposes, including but not limited to film or television, advertising, retail merchandising, stock photography, marketing, portfolio, educational, or published material, or any purpose for which the photographer/filmmaker is paid for the use of the image or footage.

Ghost Ranch reserves all rights for photographic reproductions and film of Ghost Ranch Property. Ghost Ranch reserves the right to license vendors, collect royalties, and initiate fees or otherwise control use of Ghost Ranch as deemed appropriate and lawful is the sole discretion of Ghost Ranch.

Additional Policies

Use of Ghost Ranch trademarks and logos, or images in connection with any photograph or film is prohibited without written permission by Ghost Ranch.

Indoor shooting at Ghost Ranch is prohibited without permission as described above. Interior filming and/or photography at Ghost Ranch requires specific permission based upon availability.

ALL professional filmmakers, photographers and producers are expected to carry appropriate insurance for approved projects.
The use of drones for filming or photography is prohibited without prior approval and proof of FAA certification.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ghost Ranch also reserves the right to prohibit any filming or photography on its lands for any reason, including if the filming or photography creates the potential for:

Disruption of business, guest or spiritual activities

Damage to or alteration of Ghost Ranch property

Inappropriate use of the Ghost Ranch name or image

Disruption of traffic, parking or pedestrian pathways

Other safety hazards

Violations of Ghost Ranch’s privacy policies

Ghost Ranch is represented by a production manager to coordinate, oversee and manage ALL production and these types of projects. Availability, scheduling, scouting, location fees, filming requirements and additional information must be coordinated through the Ghost Ranch Production Manager and Office.

Still Photography & Film

Photography, Catalog, Advertising, Video, Film & TV Production

Ghost Ranch is represented by a production manager to coordinate, oversee and manage ALL production and these types of projects. Availability, scheduling, scouting, location fees, filming requirements and additional information must be coordinated through the Ghost Ranch Production Manager and Office.

Photo & Art Workshops & Clubs

We invite you to bring your workshop, group or club to Ghost Ranch for a day visit. Artistic workshops (painting, drawing, etc.) and photographic workshops at Ghost Ranch for educational purposes—even when coming for a day visit—must pre-register with Ghost Ranch. A $50 per person fee applies and specific location access will be warranted. The resulting films, photographs may not be used for commercial purposes without prior contact with Ghost Ranch Production Manager. (see Still Photography & Film for contact information).

Ghost Ranch Photo Use Policy

Including photos in our literature, communications and on our website of participants and events at Ghost Ranch is a privilege for us, and we intend to respect and honor it. Therefore:

Photos are almost always of people in public spaces, and/or at public events. We will not knowingly post anything that would be embarrassing, objectionable or hurtful to anyone in the photo. We do not identify children or youth by name in the photos. Adults may occasionally be identified only if prior permission is given. If copyright for a photo is held by someone other than Ghost Ranch, we will receive permission to post it and provide photographer credit. We will remove or discontinue use of any photo upon request. If you see a photo that includes you or your child and would like it removed from the site, please contact Marketing@ghostranch.org If you would like to put your name or your child’s name on a “do not use” list, please contact admin as indicated above. We ask for your respect in return. Unless otherwise indicated, photographs throughout this website are the property of and are copyrighted by Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center and may not be used for any purpose (including but not limited to: downloading, printing, distributing, linking) without permission from Ghost Ranch.

Please contact Marketing@ghostranch.org if you have any comments, questions, or concerns about our Photo Use Policy. Thank you.